Cats are awesome pets, but they are also very finicky felines! From nail clippings to specific diets, there are many things you must consider. This article will give you advice on how to properly care for your cat.
Drape Cords
Make sure you don’t allow your cat to be around drape cords. If your cat plays with looped drape cords, they could get caught around its neck, which presents a suffocation hazard. This accident could trap or injure your cat, or even be fatal. Hang your drapery cords out of your cats’ sight to avoid this.
Make frequent checkups with your vet to keep your cat healthy. Not only will a veterinarian give a general physical exam, he or she will also make sure they have necessary vaccinations. Do your best to keep the same vet for your pet’s entire life. This also allows the vet to become more familiar with your cat’s unique health needs and personality.
To help your aging cat feel cozy, place a warmed tile under his bed. Place a tile made of terra cotta or a similar material in an oven heated to 200 degrees for around 15 to 20 minutes. Put it inside a cloth and place underneath your feline’s blanket or bed. When the tile cools down, change it out for a fresh, warm one.
Cats are usually more active during the night. Thus, the bulk of their activity will occur at night. If your cat is keeping you up at night, you should close the door to your bedroom. This way, they can’t disturb you while you sleep.
Male felines tend to get crystals in the urine that can be prevented with proper diet. These crystals can cause your cat pain to pass, and your vet bill can be expensive. Feed your cat food that is low in magnesium. This means you should pay attention to labels on food. Poultry products will tend to have lower amounts than seafood based products.
Just because your family did it when you were a child, does not mean allowing your cat to go outside is a wise decision. Letting your cat outside greatly increases his risk level. Cats can become infected with fleas, ticks and ringworm. Cats can be harmed by cars, people and other animals. Cage in an area for a cat in your backyard if they must go outside.
Brush your cat often. This can help spread their fur’s natural oils around and stimulate blood flow to their skin. It is also a good way to reduce shedding. Avoid the choking that can be a result of hairballs which slowly build up as your cat grooms himself.
Cats may make a small mess outside their litter box. If this happens, it may be because you have not kept the box as clean as you should. If you punish your cat for this, it will fear you later in the future.
Mix up the food you feed your cat to avoid them becoming a picky eater. When you give the same thing day after day, it becomes boring.
Always make sure that your cat has on identification tags and a collar. This is essential, even for indoor cats. Cats love to explore, and if they see an opportunity to go outside, they will take it. They should wear a tag with your vet’s info as well as your telephone number. Include your cat’s special diet or medical needs on his identification.
If you are bringing home a new cat, make sure to give him time to adjust to your current cat. It usually takes about three weeks. Expect to see your cats avoid each other, hiss, or even confront one another. But, eventually, they will get used to the idea, and begin to tolerate, and even enjoy, each other’s company.
Cats need to have play in their life. It is pretty normal for all different types of species to have an inner desire to play. Older cats do not have the same energy level as younger ones, but they still like to play a little. Take time and play with your cat regularly.
If you are having problems getting the cat to use the litter box, move it. Make sure to put it in a quiet spot in your house. Try placing it in a laundry room or a basement, where there is limited traffic in the home.
One way a dog shows affection for his owner is to wag his tail. Cats wag their tail as well, but have different reasons psychologically. In cats, wagging of the tail tends to indicate conflict or anxiety. If you are petting your cat and its tail begins to wag vigorously, stay away from the cat. It may be ready to attack you.
Give the cat a collar with your contact information. Even a house cat may get outside. Do everything possible to make sure your cat is returned safely to you in the event it gets out.
Cats have a heightened sense of smell, and they can detect environmental changes easily. When you offer a new feeding bowl, cat condo, or bedding, your cat may resist. Don’t worry if the cat isn’t happy with the items when you first bring them home. When your cat becomes more comfortable, he or she will adjust.
A cat can get lonely when your daily routine changes and you are no longer home during the day. You can purchase another cat to keep it company when you are away.
Try and incorporate dry food into your cats diet. When cats are young, they require wet food due to the fact that their teeth have not grown in yet. When adult teeth come in, the harder foods maintain the strength of their teeth. Your cat might enjoy eating more if you mix dry and wet food.
Although caring for a cat might sound easy, this is not the case. All cats need a lot of care in order to be happy and healthy. If you follow the advice in this article you can be a great cat owner. The research you have done will pay off in a big way, for both you and your cat!
